Honda to sell 70,000 cars in India this year

Chandigarh: Anticipating 15% growth in automobile sales, Honda Siel Cars India has confirmed that it aims to sell 70,000 cars during this fiscal compared to 60,000 vehicles sold last year in the country.

“We are expecting 15% growth, matching with the industry growth, in sales in the Indian market and (will be) selling 70,000 cars this year,” Honda Siel Cars India national head (sales) Arvind Bhatnagar told reporters here.

To increase its penetration in the Indian market, Honda would open 18 more outlets in several parts of the country.

“Presently, we have 62 outlets at 43 locations and we would like to increase the strength to 80 by this year. We would be opening these outlets in areas where we do not have any presence,” he said.

The company plans to open showrooms in Shimla, Mandi, Jammu and Kashmir, Panipat, Ambala etc.

Considering Punjab as potential market, Honda has targeted to sell 6,500 cars this year, compared to 4,300 units sold last.

The company is also expanding the production capacity of its plant in Uttar Pradesh in order to cater to the growing market. “Currently, we have production capacity of 50,000 cars and we are planning to raise it to 1 lakh by the end of 2007,” he said.